City of Columbia

Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a small portion of the city extends into Lexington County. Situated near the geographic center of South Carolina, midway between New York City and Miami, Columbia has a population of 116,278 (2000 U.S. Census). The city covers an area of 125.2 Square Miles and the annual average temperature is around 65 degrees F.


For nearly a century before the creation of Columbia by the General Assembly in 1786, the site of Columbia was important to the overall development of the state. The Congarees, a frontier fort on the west bank of the Congaree River, was the head of navigation in the Santee River system. A ferry was established by the colonial government in 1754 to connect the fort with the growing settlements on the higher ground on the east bank. State Senator John Lewis Gervais of Ninety Six introduced a bill that was approved by the legislature on March 22, 1786 to create a new state capital. There was considerable argument over the name for the new city. One legislator insisted on the name Washington, but Columbia won out by a vote of 11-7 in the state Senate.


Columbia is a city rich with history. There are numerous things for the entire family to see and do throughout the city. Whether you like visiting places important in history, enjoying the arts, playing or watching sports, attending festivals, or participating in outdoor activities, Columbia is the place for you. See a concert at the Colonial Center. an ice show at the Carolina Coliseum. a Broadway show at the Koger Center. a national dance touring company at The Township. a regatta at Lake Murray. a replica of a three ton white shark at the State Museum. Walk through the tallest trees on the East Coast in the Congaree National Park. Tailgate at Williams-Brice Stadium as the University of South Carolina battles in Southeastern Conference football. Play challenging golf course. Visit Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, consistently rated one of the nation's 10 Great Zoos. In short, Columbia really does have it all.